Vehicle Cooling System

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cooling system for a work vehicle. The cooling system includes a frame and a fan which is mounted in a door which pivotally coupled to the frame. A front engine radiator extends between the left and right sides of the frame. A left side oil cooler extends between the fan and the radiator. A right side hydraulic oil cooler extends between the fan and the radiator. A hydraulic reservoir is spaced apart from the front heat exchanger. A non-fixed fuel cooler is mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir. The non-fixed fuel cooler is pivotal about a first vertical pivot axis. A non-fixed AC condenser cooler is mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir. The non-fixed AC condenser cooler is pivotal about a second vertical pivot axis. The hydraulic reservoir has angled walls to accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed coolers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle cooling system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, heavy equipment such as motor graders and wheel loaders are powered by one or more diesel or gasoline powered internal combustion engines. Generally, these engines are liquid cooled, however, air or air/oil cooled engines may also be used. Most liquid cooled engines include a heat exchanger system, the heat exchanger system including a coolant pump and a fan cooled heat exchanger. The term cooler can be used interchangeably with heat exchanger. Coolant passes through the heat exchanger and is cooled by air flow created by the fan. The fan may be driven directly off of the engine or may be powered by any other suitable means such as electrically or hydraulically. Generally, the heat exchanger and fan are positioned relatively close to the engine to reduce the distance coolant is required to flow.

Most heavy equipment includes a hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump and at least one hydraulic cylinder used to actuate a component of the machinery such as a boom and/or a bucket. The hydraulic pump may also supply other components of the machinery such as the transmission and/or the cooling fan. The hydraulic system may also include a heat exchanger to cool the hydraulic fluid. This heat exchanger may be placed adjacent to or integral with the engine coolant heat exchanger described above. Generally, the engine cooling fan or a supplemental fan provides airflow over the heat exchanger to cool the hydraulic fluid.

Traditionally, manufacturers design systems that have heat exchangers stacked in front of each other, and/or placed next to each other in a side-by-side configuration. Today's cooling loads have greatly increased with the use of sophisticated transmissions, more air conditioners, and highly turbocharged engines. Vehicle space is at a premium because the number and size of components have increased, while the size of the enclosure has not changed. Some solutions have required manufacturers to increase the length of the heat exchanger system and have required service personnel to climb on the machine to service the heat exchanger system.

A vehicle cooling system must be capable of cooling all necessary circuits to prevent overheating. It is desirable to keep the cooling system as compact as possible, and the coolers should be able to be cleaned easily, as many kinds of debris can build up on the cooler cores causing the cooling system to be less efficient. This could lead to a potential overheating issue.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a compact cooling system for a vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a cooling system wherein both sides of the various coolers can be cleaned.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, wherein a cooling system includes a frame having a front, a rear, a left side and a right side. A non-fixed fan is pivotally coupled to the frame between the left and right sides thereof. A front horizontal liquid flow engine radiator extends between the left and right sides of the frame. A left side vertical liquid flow oil cooler extends between the fan and the radiator. A right side vertical liquid flow hydraulic oil cooler extends between the fan and the radiator. A hydraulic reservoir is spaced apart from the front heat exchanger. A non-fixed fuel cooler is mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir. The non-fixed fuel cooler is pivotal about a first vertical pivot axis. A non-fixed AC condenser cooler is mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir. The non-fixed AC condenser cooler is pivotal about a second vertical pivot axis. The hydraulic reservoir has angled walls to accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed coolers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a cooling system embodying the invention with a top cover plate removed;

FIG. 2 is a rear top perspective view of the cooling system of FIG. 1 with a top cover plate removed; and

FIG. 3 is a front top perspective view of the cooling system of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a cooling system 10 includes a frame 12 having a front 14, a rear 16, a left side 18 and a right side 20. A door 22 which encloses an electrically powered axial flow fan 26 is pivotally coupled to a bracket 24 which is attached to a right rear corner of the frame 12. As best shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1, when the fan door 22 is closed, it extends between the left and right sides of the frame 12.

A front heat exchanger 30, such as an engine radiator, is supported by the front end 14 of the frame 12 and extends between the left and right sides of the frame 12. The radiator 30 is spaced apart from the fan door 22. Heat exchanger 30 includes a left fluid tank 29 and a right fluid tank 31 on opposite sides thereof. Preferably, the liquid coolant (not shown) flows predominantly horizontally in the front heat exchanger 30.

A left side cooler 32, such as an oil cooler, is supported by the left side of the frame 12 and extends between the fan door 22 and the radiator 30. Cooler 32 includes top and bottom tanks 33 and 35. A right side cooler 34, such as an hydraulic oil cooler, is supported by the right side of the frame 12 and extends between the fan door 22 and the radiator 30. Cooler 34 includes a top tank 37 and a bottom tank 39. Preferably, the liquid coolant (not shown) flows predominantly vertically in the side coolers 32 and 34. Vehicle engine compartment side doors (not shown) may be opened to allow access to clean the outer surface of the side coolers 32 and 34.

A hydraulic reservoir 36 is spaced apart forwardly from the front heat exchanger 30. The hydraulic reservoir 36 has a pair of rear walls 38 and 40 which are angled with respect to the front wall 42 of the radiator 30 and which are joined to form an apex 44 which projects rearwardly towards the radiator 30.

A first or left non-fixed cooler 50, such as a fuel cooler, is mounted between the radiator 30 and the wall 38 of hydraulic reservoir 36. The first non-fixed cooler 50 is pivotally supported at a first vertical pivot axis by a bracket 52 which is attached near to a middle front portion of the frame 12.

A second or right non-fixed cooler 60, such as an AC condenser cooler, is mounted between the radiator 30 and the wall 40 of hydraulic reservoir 36. The second non-fixed cooler 60 is pivotally supported at a second vertical pivot axis by a bracket 62 which is attached near to a middle front portion of the frame 12. The angled walls 38 and 40 of the hydraulic reservoir 36 accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed coolers 50 and 60.

This cooling system 10 meets cooling requirements while being as compact as possible and having the ability to be easily cleaned. It utilizes cross-flow coolers on a front plane and vertical flow coolers on the side planes. This allows the tanks on the front plane to overlap the coolers on the side so the tanks do not blocking any airflow, thus optimizing the core area and making the layout as compact as possible. The cooling system has a fan door that opens to allow cleaning access to the inside of the cooling system. Opening the side doors allows for cleaning access to the fronts of the side coolers. Two smaller coolers are mounted on the front side of the front plane coolers. These coolers rotate about the vertical axis and allow cleaning access to both sides of these coolers and the front side of the front plane coolers when the side doors are open. The rotating coolers can rotate up to 10 degrees. The hydraulic reservoir has angled back walls to allow these coolers to rotate.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A cooling system for a work vehicle, comprising: front heat exchanger; a fan spaced apart to the rear of the front heat exchanger, the fan being pivotal about a vertical fan pivot axis; a left side heat exchanger extending between the fan and the front heat exchanger; a right side heat exchanger extending between the fan and the front heat exchanger; a left non-fixed cooler mounted adjacent to a front side of the front heat exchanger, the left non-fixed cooler being pivotal about a first vertical cooler pivot axis; and a right non-fixed cooler mounted adjacent the front side of the front heat exchanger, the right non-fixed cooler being pivotal about a second vertical cooler pivot axis.
 2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: each non-fixed cooler has a first end which is pivotally coupled to a frame and a second end which is pivotal away from the front heat exchanger.
 3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: the front heat exchanger is spaced apart from a hydraulic reservoir; and the non-fixed coolers are mounted between the front heat exchanger and the hydraulic reservoir.
 4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: each non-fixed cooler is pivotal about a pivot axis which is located near an inboard side of the non-fixed cooler.
 5. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising: a tank mounted adjacent a lateral side of the front heat exchanger.
 6. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: the front heat exchanger includes a first tank mounted at a left side thereof, and a second tank mounted at a right side thereof.
 7. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: the front heat exchanger is a horizontal liquid flow heat exchanger; the left side heat exchanger is a vertical liquid flow heat exchanger; and the right side heat exchanger is a vertical liquid flow heat exchanger.
 8. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: a hydraulic reservoir is spaced apart from the front heat exchanger, and the non-fixed cooler is mounted between the front heat exchanger and the hydraulic reservoir.
 9. The cooling system of claim 3, wherein: the hydraulic reservoir has angled walls to accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed cooler.
 10. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein: the front heat exchanger includes a pair of fluid tanks on opposite sides thereof.
 11. A cooling system for a work vehicle, comprising: front heat exchanger; a fan spaced apart to the rear of the front heat exchanger, the fan being pivotal about a vertical fan pivot axis; a left side heat exchanger extending between the fan and the front heat exchanger; a right side heat exchanger extending between the fan and the front heat exchanger; and a non-fixed cooler mounted adjacent to a front side of the front heat exchanger, the non-fixed cooler being pivotal about a first vertical cooler pivot axis.
 12. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein: the non-fixed cooler has a first end which is pivotally coupled to a frame and a second end which is pivotal away from the front heat exchanger.
 13. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein: the front heat exchanger is spaced apart from a hydraulic reservoir; and the non-fixed cooler is mounted between the front heat exchanger and the hydraulic reservoir.
 14. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein: the non-fixed cooler is pivotal about a pivot axis which is located near an inboard side of the non-fixed cooler.
 15. The cooling system of claim 11, further comprising: a tank mounted adjacent a lateral side of the front heat exchanger.
 16. The cooling system of claim 11, further comprising: a first tank is mounted adjacent a left side of the front heat exchanger; and a second tank is mounted adjacent a right side of the front heat exchanger.
 17. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein: the front heat exchanger is a horizontal liquid flow heat exchanger; the left side heat exchanger is a vertical liquid flow heat exchanger; and the right side heat exchanger is a vertical liquid flow heat exchanger.
 18. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein: the hydraulic reservoir has angled walls to accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed cooler.
 19. A cooling system comprising: a frame having a front, a rear, a left side and a right side; a non-fixed fan coupled to the frame between the left and right sides thereof; a front horizontal liquid flow engine radiator extending between the left and right sides of the frame; a left side vertical liquid flow oil cooler extending between the fan and the radiator; a right side vertical liquid flow hydraulic oil cooler extending between the fan and the radiator; a hydraulic reservoir spaced apart from the front heat exchanger; and a non-fixed fuel cooler mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir, the non-fixed fuel cooler being pivotal about a first vertical pivot axis; and a non-fixed AC condenser cooler mounted between the radiator and the hydraulic reservoir, the non-fixed AC condenser cooler being pivotal about a second vertical pivot axis, the hydraulic reservoir having the hydraulic reservoir has angled walls to accommodate pivoting of the non-fixed coolers. 